Improvement in apparatus for purifying paraffine



F.Q.BARS'10W.

APPARATUS FOR PURIFYING PARAFFINE.

Patented Sept. 5, 1876.

WI JVESSES N.FETERS, PH0TO-LITHOGRAPHERI WASHINGTON. D

UNITED S'rn'rns PATENT QFFICE;

FRANK Q. BARSTOW, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO.

IMPROVEMENT IN APPARATUS FOR PURIFVING PARAFFINE.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 181,8 [4, datedSeptember 5, 1876; application filed June 28, 1876.

following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention,such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains tomake and use it, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, whichform part of this specification.

My invention relates to the process of purifying para'ffine or otheranalogous substances; and consists, essentially, in forcing a purifyingelement therethrough by means of the mechanism herein described andclaimed.

In the drawing, which serves to assist in I elucidating the process, isrepresented a vessel or receptacle, of which A is a chamber, providedwith a perforated bottom, B, placed preferablya short distance above thelower edge of the side or sides of the chamber.

On this perforated bottom the paraffine-wax,

or any analogous substance to be purified, is placed, and benzine, orits equivalent, is thrown thereon-preferably in a spray through the rose0 of pipe (3,,but may be introduced in any other manner.- At the sametime, or afterward, air is forced into the chamher from above throughthe pipe D, so as to produce a body of compressed air over the benzinewetted or saturated paraffine-wax. This forces the benzine through theparaffinewax. The former, carrying with it all the impurities of thelatter, escapes through the perforated bottom, leaving the paraffine-waxor analogous substance in a purified state.

If desired, the vessel or receptacle may be constructed with a bottombelow the perforated one; but the way in which I have usually employedthe machine has been to simply place a pan or receptacle below theperforated bottom to collect the benzine and impurities that are washedfrom the paraffine-wax; and I would have it understood that I donottherefore limit myself to any particular formation of the apparatusbeneath the perforated bottom and instead of a rigid (such as a metallicor wooden) perforated bottom, I have employed simply a canvas bottom,and have properly supported the said canvas from below, and I have foundthat it serves every purpose.

A wooden or metallic perforated bottom may be employed to support thecanvas bottom, or a screen of galvanized or other iron may be used forthat purpose, the object be ing to provide a bottom or diaphragm uponwhich the paraffine-wax may rest, which shall be sufficiently open orporous to admit of the ready passage of the benzine with its suspendedimpurities, yet snfficiently close to act as an efi'ective strainer. Forthis I have found canvas to be very good, though any other good strainermay be employed.

The pressure of the air from above serves to keep the mass tolerablycompact, and insures a more effective operation of the henzine upon theparafiine-wax.

Before operating upon the paraffine-wax it should be first prepared bythoroughly disintegrating the mass. This may be effected by firstheating or melting, and after cooling it is ground to a powder; but theespecial means or process for disintegrating the paraffinewax forms nopart of my invention.

My process presumes the wax to be in a disintegrated condition beforeputting it into receiver.

NVhat I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent,is-

1. In an apparatus for purifying paraffinewax or other analogoussubstances, the combination of a closed receptacle or vessel, having aperforated bottom, for supporting the substance to be operated upon,with a pipe, 0, for admitting the purifying element, and pipe D, for theadmission of compressed air to the chamber above the perforated bottom,substantially as and for the purpose described.

2. An apparatus for purifying parafiinewax, consisting of a receptacleclosed at the top, and provided with a diaphragm of canvas, or othersuitable strainer, for supporting the paraffine-wax, a pipe, 0, foradmitting benzine or other purifying agent, and a pipe, D, for theadmission of compressed air to the chamber above the paraffine,substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

FRANK Q. BARSTOW. Witnesses:

FRANCIS ToUMEY, EDWARD WALSH.

